Huskers hit the practice field for the first time of fall camp

The Nebraska football team kicked off the 2016 season on Thursday with the start of fall camp, practicing in the Hawks Championship Center in helmets and jerseys for just over two hours.

Head Coach Mike Riley, who begins his second year with the Huskers, spoke to the media following practicing noting that the team is much farther along than it was this time last year.

“I was standing with Billy Devaney near the end of practice down here and he said, ‘this doesn’t look like a first-day practice to me,’ and really from a year ago, the comfort level and the starting point is so much different and that’s pretty neat to see,” Riley said. “We still have to grow, we still have to find the right depth charts, we’ve got to get all the parts put together on special teams – there’s a lot of stuff, but that part of it was pretty good.”

Riley also discussed the options for who will earn reps at safety opposite anticipated starter Nathan Gerry.

“You guys know we did not redshirt Aaron Williams and Antonio Reed,” Riley said. “They played [last season] and then Kieron Williams made a move in the spring that was good. So within that group right there, there’s going to be four viable guys and my guess is by the time we get into sub-defenses and situational defenses, all those guys might play.”

The Huskers continue the practice grind on Friday with their second workout of fall camp.